[3] The town of Lanesfield was founded in 1858 by James H. Lane, an abolitionist and Union Army brigadier general during the American Civil War, and William Gans.

Lane also led the establishment of a log school house on the Burton Dille farm, however, he did not live to see its opening in 1867, having died by suicide in 1866.

The school served children from various age groups, reflecting the typical structure of one-room schoolhouses in rural America.

The site offers several interpretive panels and an audio tour that discusses the history of the schoolhouse, the town of Lanesfield, and its connections to broader historical themes, including the Santa Fe Trail and the local Border War.

[2][3][4] The museum is a popular destination for school field trips, open to the public once a month, and hosts various special events, such as escape rooms and a yearly 1904-themed Christmas concert.